Provision System Research Articles

Development of Priority Assistive Product Lists in Three African Countries

National Assistive Product Lists (APLs) play an important role in improving access to assistive products (APs). Assistive products are critical to enhancing the health, well-being, and quality of life of persons with disabilities and other functional limitations, including those associated with aging. Comparing national APL development across Malawi, Liberia, and Sierra Leone may provide insight into the differences between the resulting national APLs and how to enhance AP service delivery systems. The aim of this study was to compare how the World Health Organization’s 5Ps model (people, personnel, policy, provision, products) influenced national APL development across Malawi, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. To achieve this aim, we conducted a series of qualitative interviews with representatives of key government and non-state organizations (n = 12) who had been involved in the development of the APL in each of the three countries. We used directed content analysis to review and analyze the resulting data, with the 5Ps representing the 5 areas of analysis. Our results found substantial differences between the APLs of the three countries, which were substantially influenced by the needs of assistive technology users in each of the respective countries (people). This was evident in the fact that product selection criteria differed across countries, with the most critical factor being population need. Provision systems were generally fragmented and depended heavily on donors, with a lack of coordination between the public and private sectors. None of the countries had or produced a standalone AT policy in the APL development process. County-specific factors also influenced the APL differences between countries. Our research concludes that national APLs will vary substantially if they are developed collaboratively, considering the needs of the population with consideration for the country’s context and existing policies and systems.

Circular Consumption in Everyday Life: Drawing Insights into the Creation of a Circular City

AbstractAlthough individual consumption is the biggest contributor to cities’ carbon footprints, the link between personal actions and building a circular city remains narrowly researched. Similarly, the implications of the circular economy in individuals’’ everyday lives are not yet well known. This study bridges these research gaps by examining the impacts of circular consumption on urban neighborhood inhabitants’ everyday lives and by considering the relationship between individual consumption and the creation of a circular city. This qualitative research relies on interviews conducted with inhabitants, companies and a school of Tammela neighborhood. Results derived from a directed content analysis suggest that circular consumption is an advisable instrument for living in accordance with environmental values and promotes economic inclusion for individuals. However, circular consumption requires more consumption work from consumers compared to linear consumption. In conclusion, at the city level mainstreaming circular consumption might be achieved with policies aiming at (a) increasing environmental awareness and teaching circular skills and (b) enhancing convenient circular systems of provision to attract people with various values to engage in circular consumption, while considering the amount of consumption work required by the consumer.

Routine uptake of prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women in peri-urban areas of Dodoma City, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe physiological requirements for iron and folic acid in pregnancy are a significant challenge to achieve through normal dietary intake, especially in low resource settings. The World Health Organization recommends daily oral iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) to prevent maternal anaemia and related adverse effects in community settings where the prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy is > 40%. The objective of this study was to assess the routine uptake of prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women at peri-urban areas of Dodoma City, Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in peri-urban areas. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and review of records from maternal clinic card (RCH 4 card). Routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplementation was defined as pregnant woman who reported taking iron-folic acid supplements at least once within the past seven days prior to data collection. Frequency and percentage were used to report respondents’ characteristics and uptake of prenatal iron-folic acid supplementation. Chi-square test and logistic regression were conducted to determine the relationship and association of routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplementation with respondents’ characteristics.ResultsThe total respondents were 452. Overall routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplementation was 35.6% (161). The majority of the respondents (66.5%) initiated iron-folic acid supplementation during the second trimester of pregnancy. Most of the respondents (86.3%) obtained IFA supplements at the health centers where they were receiving antenatal care. The prevalence of routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplementation was significantly higher among women in the third trimester of pregnancy (54.9%), those with more than a five-year interval since last pregnancy (40.6%), those with at least four antenatal care (ANC) visits (73.7%) and women who had undergone haemoglobin testing in the current pregnancy (63.0%). Factors associated with routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplementation were; frequency of ANC visits (AOR = 1.69) and haemoglobin testing (AOR = 3.02).ConclusionApproximately one third of the pregnant women took iron-folic acid supplementation at least once a week. The current frequency for intake of iron-folic acid supplementation can be described as intermittent. This practise is unacceptable for prevention of maternal anaemia and associated adverse pregnant outcomes. Frequency of ANC visits and haemoglobin testing during pregnancy were found to be associated with routine uptake of iron-folic acid supplements. Stakeholders are urged to consider novel systems for provision of prenatal IFAS in community settings with limited access to health-care professionals to ensure a timely and continuous supply of supplements.

Organizational and legal principles of forensic examination in the field of road infrastructure

The aim of the work is to analyze the offenses committed in the field of road infrastructure and to identify the main areas of criminal activity, for which investigation specific expertise in the form of forensic examination is applied. The methodological basis of the study of this problem was general, separate and special cognition methods. The results of performed research demonstrate possibility of distinguishing two main areas of criminal activity in the field of road infrastructure. These are official crimes related to the field of official and professional activity, as well as war crimes related to unforeseen destruction of road infrastructure. Thus, one of socially dangerous manifestations in this area are crimes related to road construction. While investigating issues of compliance of the developed project-technical and estimate documentation with the requirements of regulatory acts in the field of road construction, as well as questions of determining compliance of the completed construction works and built objects with the project-technical documentation, often arise. Such issues can be resolved if forensic expert (experts) have relevant professional knowledge in the design, construction and operation of roads, taking into account the characteristics of road infrastructure objects. At the current stage, when all Ukrainians feel consequences of Russian aggression, another problem is clearly visible. After all, for all the crimes of this shameful war, the enemy must suffer a just punishment, and the victims must receive compensation for the material and moral damage caused to them. In connection with the emergence of new tasks that arise during the investigation of war crimes committed by the aggressor country, the question of the appropriate level of expert provision of justice in conditions of war that is directly related both to increasing effectiveness of the inspection of the scene of the event and to further conducting forensic examinations. Taking into account the fact that a huge number of objects were damaged and destroyed, there was a need to use the latest methods and approaches to effectively counteract the specified manifestations of crime, in particular, development of effective system of expert justice provision at the stages of pre-trial investigation and subsequent judicial review of cases. Thereby it is important to provide expert investigation of crimes related to the establishment of damages to the state, individuals and legal entities from the destruction of immovable and movable property.

Provide or prevent? Exploring sufficiency imaginaries within Danish systems of provision

Provide or prevent? Exploring sufficiency imaginaries within Danish systems of provision

Complex systems for controlling thermal modes of radio-electronic equipment

The system of providing thermal conditions of radio-electronic equipment, which is a necessary subsystem of such modern information systems as on-board mobile objects with high requirements to reliability, dynamics and controllability, is analyzed. A solid-state method of cooling energy generation based on the Peltier effect is highlighted, which has such advantages as the possibility of creating a temperature below ambient, small dimensions, mass and increased reliability compared to similar coolers of other physical principles. It is shown that in distributed systems with heat-loaded elements the function of transporting heat flows is necessary, and the most promising for the solved problems is realized on flexible heat pipes, which agree with thermoelectric coolers in terms of reliability, mass and dimensional characteristics. The method of reducing the mass and dimensional characteristics of systems for providing thermal modes with impulse heat generation, typical for tracking systems or on-board systems, is considered. It is noted that the heat of phase transition of melting substances allows to form thermal accumulators, which, when coordinated with the dynamic characteristics of thermal processes of the system, allows to significantly reduce the mass and dimensional characteristics of the system for providing thermal modes. The use of thermal accumulators in systems with pulse-periodic influence allows to increase also reliability indicators due to filtration of high-frequency thermal emissions in heat-loaded elements. The expediency of the system approach to the design of the thermoelectric system for ensuring thermal modes of electronic equipment with heat pipes and thermal accumulators by synthesizing a multidimensional regulator type “Multiple Input - Multiple Output” (MIMO) is substantiated. It is substantiated that to satisfy the basic principles of multidimensional systems of fragility and robustness it is necessary to satisfy the condition of creation of a qualitative model of the thermoelectric system of provision of thermal modes of heat-loaded electronic equipment.

Small-scale farmers perception, adaptation choices to climate change and existing barriers: Evidence from northern Ethiopia

Climate change continues to significantly impact agricultural production in Ethiopia that have encountered several environmental problems in recent decades. The study site is one of the areas vulnerable to climate change and influenced by climate variability. This study intends to identify small-scale farmers’ adaptation options, their perception and existing barriers in northern Ethiopia. It is based on an analysis of cross-sectional data collected from 193 randomly selected farm household heads. A multivariate probit model was employed to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ climate change adaptation choices. Constraint Facing Index (CFI) technique was also constructed to identify the existing barriers. The findings indicate that a significant number of farmers (91.2%) reported a trend toward rising temperatures. Similarly, 86.01% of the farmers indicated that the perceived rainfall trend has decreased. Adjusting planting dates (56.5%), integrated soil fertility management practices (47.7%), early maturing crop varieties (53.4%), terracing for soil and water conservation (54.9%), and income diversification (55.4%) were the most common climate change adaptation options practiced by farm households in the study area. Some of these adaptation options have significant and complementary relationships. The farmer’s choice of adaptation option was highly constrained by institutional factors and all these identified factors can be possibly addressed through a better institutional service provision system, for a better farm-level adaptation while considering demographic characteristics as well.

An Approach of Integration of Contextual Data in E-Service System for Management of Multimodal Cargo Transportation

Our research area concerns the development of an intelligent e-service system to help manage multimodal transportation processes. To better respond to the requirements of sustainable development, we encourage the development of multimodal cargo transportation. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the dissemination and management of information in multimodal transportation requires more accurate information transmission and implementation for better coordination of these processes with the interaction of all process participants. Also, contextual data integration into the e-service provision processes is important for more adequate real cargo transportation management. The transition to multimodal freight transport and the increase in its activity directly impact the sustainable development of this sector as transport flows are removed from ground roads and distributed more evenly to load more railways and sea vessels. This research aims to develop an approach to developing the infrastructure of an e-service system with the ability to integrate contextual data and influence the management of multimodal transportation. The methodological approach is based on methods of conceptual representation of information and methods for recognizing the flow of needful information during multimodal freight transportation according to adaptable management processes. The e-service provision system creates benefits for cargo drivers and delivery managers with more accurate information implementation and more adequate coordination of processes under real conditions by helping them make the right decisions.

Wing-strain-based flight control of flapping-wing drones through reinforcement learning

Although drone technology has advanced rapidly, replicating the dynamic control and wind-sensing abilities of biological flight is still beyond reach. Biological studies reveal that insect wings are equipped with mechanoreceptors known as campaniform sensilla, which detect complex aerodynamic loads critical for flight agility. By leveraging robotic experiments designed to mimic these biological systems, we confirm that wing strain provides crucial information about the drone’s attitude angle, as well as the direction and velocity of the wind. We introduce a wing-strain-based flight controller that employs the aerodynamic forces exerted on a flapping drone’s wings to deduce vital flight data such as attitude and airflow without accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors. The present work spans five key experiments: initial validation of the wing strain sensor system for state information provision, control in a single degree of freedom movement environment with changing winds, control in a two degrees of freedom movement environment for gravitational attitude adjustment, a test for position control in windy conditions and a demonstration of precise flight path manipulation in a windless condition using only wing strain sensors. We have successfully demonstrated control of a flapping drone in various environments using only wing strain sensors, with the aid of a reinforcement-learning-driven flight controller. The demonstrated adaptability to environmental shifts will be beneficial across varied applications, from gust resistance to wind-assisted flight for autonomous flying robots.

FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY PROVISION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION OF THE POPULATION OF UKRAINE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE STATE OF MARTIAL

In the conditions of war, there is a need to improve the system of financial and budgetary provision of social protection and to develop an appropriate strategy, which will become the basis for reforming this system. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the system of financial and budgetary support for the social protection of the population of Ukraine in conditions of war and to justify the strategic tasks of the financial and budgetary policy of the state regarding its improvement. Applied methods: scientific generalization and abstraction, complex analysis, dialectical, sampling, economic and statistical. The research is based on the hypothesis that the level of coordination of the instruments of the state's financial and budgetary policy determines the country's ability to ensure the stability of the system of financial and budgetary provision of social protection, to minimize the risks of violation of human social security. Peculiarities of social support of Ukraine from the international community in conditions of war, the analysis of the system of financial and budgetary support for the social protection of the population of Ukraine is carried out, and the directions of the financial and budgetary policy of the state regarding the development of the system of financial and budgetary support for the social protection of the population are determined. It is substantiated that the development of institutional mechanisms for the management of state resources in the context of the financial and budgetary provision of social protection will contribute to ensuring the social security of people, the use of a combinatorial toolkit of financial and budgetary provision of social protection of Ukraine in the conditions of war should correspond to the priority of increasing the level of financing of the state's defence capability.

Water Security Characteristics of Existing Water Service Provision Systems in Informal Settlements within Nairobi County, Kenya

Water Security Characteristics of Existing Water Service Provision Systems in Informal Settlements within Nairobi County, Kenya

Pharmacoeconomic aspects of drug provision for diabetic patients in the Novosibirsk Region

Aim – to assess pharmacological and economic aspects of drug provision for patients with diabetes mellitus in the Novosibirsk region at federal and regional levels for the period of 2019–2021. Material and methods. An array of data on drug provision for diabetic patients in the Novosibirsk region for the period of 2019–2021 was collected and subjected to analysis. The research process used a systematic approach with the following methods: logical analysis, content analysis, ABC analysis, XYZ analysis. Results. For the period of 2019–2021, the burden on the regional drug provision system for diabetic patients had been steadily increasing. At the same time, the share of costs for drug provision for diabetic patients at the federal level continued to grow, despite the reducing number of covered prescriptions. Potentially, it could be explained by the constant increase in the average cost of a prescription. The ABC/XYZ inventory analysis of the consumed drugs and medical devices showed an increasing need for additional (non-hypoglycemic) medicines for the treatment of complications and concomitant diseases in diabetic patients. A greater increase in prescriptions of additional medicines and their funding was observed at the regional level in the period of 2019–2021.

Analysis Of Working Capital Credit Provision System And Handling Of Bad Credit (Case Study At PT. BPR Supra Artapersada Pelabuhan Ratu Branch)

This study aims to analyze the working capital credit provision system and the handling of bad credit at PT. BPR Supra Artapersada Pelabuhan Ratu Branch. The data used includes qualitative data in the form of credit applications, credit guidelines, credit analysis, credit agreements, warning letters, and the organizational structure of PT. BPR Supra Artapersada Pelabuhan Ratu along with its job descriptions. Data collection techniques involve observation, interviews, and documentation, which are then analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of this study indicate that the working capital credit provision system implemented at PT. BPR Supra Artapersada is generally good, with a structured procedure from credit application, credit analysis, approval, to disbursement. However, some aspects still require improvement to prevent bad credit. The handling of bad credit at PT. BPR Supra Artapersada is also quite comprehensive, including initial notifications, direct communication, field visits, issuing warning letters, and applying the 3R methods (Restructuring, Rescheduling, Reconditioning). However, there is a need to improve the mechanism for seizing collateral and to adjust the legal procedures applied.

Developing community energy systems to facilitate Ethiopia's transition to sustainable energy

In Ethiopia, renewable energy offers people an affordable, dependable, and eco-friendly power supply while decreasing the carbon footprint. However, delivering a renewable future for the country requires a massive change in social practices and systems of provision. The slow progress of renewable development is hindering the transition to a cleaner energy future. Over 80 % of people live in rural areas where it is expensive to reach them via grid networks in Ethiopia, requiring off-grid alternatives.Community energy systems, which are off-grid energy systems in which communities play a key role, offer alternative strategies to close the country's energy access gap. However, community energy systems remain underdeveloped in Ethiopia. There is a need to understand the opportunities for community energy and the barriers that hinder its development in Ethiopia, and their role in energy transitions.This paper adopts an experimental lens to understand the diverse dimensions of community energy projects through how they are made, maintained, and lived. Using a comparative analysis of three multi-method, qualitative case studies, this paper argues that the political context poses the biggest obstacle to the development of community energy in Ethiopia despite these projects' tangible benefits.The analysis indicates that community energy projects allow communities to be involved in all stages of project development. In every project, communities assume project management responsibilities after commissioning. However, these projects encounter challenges in resourcing capital, managing supply chains, and building necessary skills among community members to understand business models to ensure sustained operation of the systems.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Acute Stroke Rehabilitation in Japanese Primary Stroke Centers: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Using a Web-Based Questionnaire Survey

Introduction: Acute stroke rehabilitation is crucial for achieving good functional recovery, even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to clarify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute stroke rehabilitation and identify which components in the acute stroke rehabilitation provision system were susceptible to the pandemic. Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted in all primary stroke centers (PSCs) in Japan between February 7 and April 21, 2022. The survey included questions about the current status of acute stroke rehabilitation and the influence of the pandemic. We classified the influences and investigated the relationship between the influence of the pandemic and the provision of rehabilitation. Additionally, we investigated a group of prefectures divided according to the grade of the pandemic. Results: The survey response rate was 67% (639 of 959 PSCs). Among them, 387 PSCs (61%) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic affected acute stroke rehabilitation. In PSCs affected by the pandemic, more rehabilitation-related staff were working, and the proportion of weekend/holiday rehabilitation implementation was higher compared to those unaffected. In PSCs from highly infected prefectures, no significant relationship was observed between the influence of the pandemic and the rehabilitation provision system. Conclusions: PSCs that provide denser acute stroke rehabilitation may be affected to a greater extent by the pandemic. We conclude that stroke hospitals should formulate infection control procedures for acute stroke rehabilitation in advance, depending on the conditions of the region and facility.

Tensions undermining equitable school funding: insights from Australia

ABSTRACT School funding policy in Australia not only promotes educational equity in some ways but also creates substantial between-school resource inequalities due to its embrace of market ideologies. School funding policies are designed to promote school choice and competition, based on the assumption that they are both a right and an effective lever for improving educational outcomes. School funding is used to create an educational marketplace with varying ‘price points’, leading to the acceptance of a two-tiered system of basic provision via the public sector and enhanced provision for those willing to pay via the private sector. Political commitment to making school funding more equitable has been largely absent. Marketisation is the mechanism by which schooling maintains its capacity to reproduce social inequality without evoking class-based discourse or anxiety.

ECONOMIC AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROVIDING INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY IN THE CONDITIONS OF INCREASED INFLUENCE OF FACTORS OF A MILITARY NATURE: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE AND THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

The purpose of the article is to analyze the state of innovative development of the economy of Ukraine and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and to identify the problems of its provision in the conditions of martial law. The results of the study prove that factors of a military nature have an ambiguous effect on stimulating the innovative development of the country's economy. It has been established that economic evolution through innovation is a prerequisite for strengthening its competitiveness in countering modern challenges and threats. The results of the empirical study made it possible to find out that during the large-scale aggression of Russia on the territory of Ukraine in 2022, a decrease in the level of innovative economic development was also observed in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It was established that in 2023, the countries of the analyzed group managed to increase the indicators of innovative activity of business entities and the parameters of the innovative development of the economy. Important problems in ensuring economic progress through innovative activity have been identified: (1) shortcomings of the legislation regulating the innovation sphere; (2) lack of formation of a unified innovation infrastructure; (3) significant tax burden; (4) lack of an effective system of taxation and provision of tax benefits and preferences; (5) lack of effective investment mechanisms in the field of innovation; (6) low level of technological capacity of production facilities; (7) imperfection of the education system; (8) low level of financing of research activities; (9) focus on the export of raw materials and dependence on high-tech imports. In order to ensure sustainable innovative development of the country's economy, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for the development of innovative potential, activate the creation of cross-border innovation clusters, and strengthen the country's investment attractiveness.

Improvement of the system of innovative provision and transfer of science-intensive products in agroindustrial production

Improvement of the system of innovative provision and transfer of science-intensive products in agroindustrial production

Measuring effectiveness of holistic defense: social service provision and justice system outcomes

Measuring effectiveness of holistic defense: social service provision and justice system outcomes

A solar diffusion-absorption refrigeration system for off-grid cold-chain provision, Part II: System simulation and assessment of performance

The diffusion-absorption refrigerator (DAR) is a cooling technology that can be driven entirely by thermal energy. With solar-thermal collectors as the heat source, this technology can provide a zero-emissions solution for essential cold-chain provision in the world’s poorest regions. In the accompanying paper, a system model of a solar-driven DAR system was developed for simulating operation under variable solar conditions. In Part II of this study, we apply this model to assess the predicted performance of the system in its intended application: for on-farm refrigeration of harvested crops in rural India. The roles of the working-fluid charge pressure and collector array area for maximum cooling are investigated. A charge pressure of 16 bar is found to be optimal for ambient conditions during the October harvest season in Ahmedabad, with a collector-array area of 1.5 m2 found to be most appropriate for the nominal 70 W cooling-capacity system. However, the time taken to reach the required solar collector temperature for bubble pump activation results in a daily operating period of less than 5 h and a predicted overall solar-to-cooling efficiency of less than 1%. To address these limitations, modifications to various components are considered based on simple assumptions for improving performance.